Lifting device



Sept. 16, 1952 JAEGER 2,610,890

LIFTING DEVICE Filed June 2, 1950 3 $heetsSheet 2 I N VEN TOR.

Gebha rd Jeager TTORNEYS Sept. 16, 1952 Filed June 2, 1950 G. JAEGER 2,610,890

LIFTING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Pi 7 INVENTOR. Gebhord Joagzr Patented Sept. 16, 1952 2,610,890 LIFTING DEVICE GebhardJaegen Columbus, Ohio, assig'nor to The Jaeger Machine Company, Columbus, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application June 2, 1950, SerialNo. 165,656

My invention relates tea-liftingdevice. 'It has to do, more particularly,with a lifting-device of the tong-type which is adapted to be supported by the conventional crane hook and which is particularly useful for handling a pile of sheet metal or plate that is supported on skids or stringers so that portions of the tongs-may engage the pile underneath the bottom sheet or plate.

With this tong-type of lifting device, the pile of sheet or plate is engaged by-lowering-the device in straddling relationship to the pile by means of the crane which car'ries it. Lowering the lifting device and relieving thetension' on the tongs, causesthe tongs to spread and-straddle the pile. Then,when the crane is operated to exert an upward pull on the lifting device, the tongs are caused to contractand to engage the lower surface of the pile as well as-to grip the sides of the pile.-

It is the main object of my invention to provide a lifting device ofthetong-typewhichis particularly suitableforhandling piles ofsheet material and which can be operated fromaremote point, such as by'the' crane operator'when it is carried by the'hook of the crane, toeffectively engage and positively grip the: pile of material in order to move the pile'asdesired and to release the pile whenever desired.

Another object of my inventionisto provide a lifting device of the type indicated wherein a locking means is provided which functionsautomatically as the tongs are spread to keep'the tongs in spread condition, to permit'straddling of another pile, until released topei'mit engagement with the pile.

Still another object'of my invention is toprovide a lifting device of the tong-type which is provided with means that operate to' aid in spreading the tongs when the lifting-force'on the device is released as the device is lowered into contact with a suitable surfaceespecially after the tongs have been so contracted-that the angle between the tongs is small.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a lifting device of the tong-type which has guide means associated therewith that will-aid in obtaining a straight stack of 'mater-ial whe'n one pile or group of sheet material is stacked on another. I r

A further object of my invention-is topmvide a lifting device of the 'typeindicated which is of simple andinexpensiveconstruction-and is of a rugged nature.

Various other objects willbe apparent.-'

13 Claims. (Cl. 294-410) The-liftingdevice of my invention comprises a-supporting-frame which isadapted to bes'uspended from a--suita-ble movable supporting structure, suchas thehook of the conventional crane. This frame is provided with pivoted-tong arms which carry the material-engaging hits at their lower ends. 'These-lifts-are adapted to engage the sides of the pile and are provided with inwardly extending portions-for extending beneath the pileand engaging the'lower surface thereof. An upward pull v on the supporting frame causes the-tong-arms toswing inwardly towards each other and the material-engaging lifts to engage-the pileof-material provided the lifting device is disposed in a straddling relationship thereto. To-disengage the lifting device from the pile,-it is necessary to relieve'it of the lifting force and allow the tongarmsto settle against the pile and expand. 'I provide means inassociation with -'the tong-arms for aiding spreading thereof when the lifting force is slackened sufficiently as the lower ends of the tong arms are lowered into contact-with the pile. This meansis especially helpful-after a time when the tong-armshave-been swung very close together, for exa'mpla'in gripping anarrow pile.

' Locking'means is connected to the tongs which functions-automatically to hold the tong arms in' spreadpositionuntil released so that the'lif-ting "device Will -be spread sufiiciently to e again engage a pile of material. When positidned again 'over the pile of material instraddling" relationship thereto, the lock-ing means may be released from a remote-control point to permit the engagement of the tongs with the pile when a lif-ti'ng force is again supplied-thereto. At one side of the lifting-device, the'tongs' are provided with a depending gu-ide-member which will engage a lower pile of material'atthetime another pile isbeing stacked thereon by means of the lifting device. This-willensure the formation of a st'raight stack vv'lien several bunchesbf material are stacked together.

'I'hepreferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the-accompanying drawings wherein'similar character of reference clesignate ccn responding parts and wherein: "Figure 1 is an end view of a-liftiz ig device according to my invention.

Figure Zis a side v-ie'w cf'theli'fting device. Figure B is a-plan-view of the device. Figure i is an enlarged view, mainly ih perspective, showing o'ne endof the-device including the tong arms and associated locking structure.

Figure 5 is an end view of the device showing it in expanded condition over a pile of material with which it is to be engaged.

Figure 6 is a digrammatic view showing the device engaging and lifting a pile of material.

Figure 7 is a similar view showing how several piles or groups of material may be stacked one upon the other.

With reference to the drawings, my lifting device includes a suitable supporting beam structure H] which may be fabricated from a pair of longitudinally extending channels (Figure 4) which are disposed in parallel relationship and have their ends welded to pivot plates 2 that have pivot-supporting portions I3 depending therefrom. Intermediate the ends of the channels II, a transverse pin I4 is provided which carries a loop I5 that is adapted to receive the hook of a crane or other suitable moving means. Welded to the lower surfaces of the channels H at each end thereof and to the plates |2 are the transversely disposed angle members It which provide the depending pivot-supporting flanges I! that are parallel to the portions i3. The pivot-supporting portions I 3 and I1 serve to support a tong structure, indicated generally by numeral I8, at each end of the supporting beam structure l0.

Each of the tong structures includes a central bar I9 and upper diverging arms (Figures 4 and 5) which have their upper ends pivoted together and to the beam support H) by means of a pin 2| passing through the supporting portions l3 and II. It will be noted that bar I9 is located between the arms 29. Each of the tong structures also includes lower diverging arms 22 which are disposed in parallel relationship to the arms 20 in the planes thereof and which are pivoted together and to the bar I3 by means of a rod 23 extending through the bar 1 and the upper ends of the arms 22. The outer end of each arm 20 is connected to its parallel arm 22 by means of a vertically disposed link 24 which is pivoted at its upper end by a pivot rod 25 to the outer end oi arm 29 and at its lower end by a pivot pin 26 to the outer end of arm 22. The arms 20 and 22 in combination with the cooperating link 24 and the portion of the bar I9 between pivots 2| and 23 form a parallelogram.

In order to keep the parallelograms at each side of the bar IS in the same angular relationship thereto and to keep bar l9 vertical, an equalizing arrangement is provided. This equalizing arrangement comprises the links 2'! which are pivoted together at their lower ends on opposite sides of bar |9 by a pin 28 and each of which has its upper end pivoted by a rod 29 to oneof the upper arms 20. The pivot points 29 are located equal distances from the pivot 2|. The pin 28 operates within a vertical slot 39 formed in the portion of bar l9 which depends below the pivot point 23 for the arms 22. Upward swinging of the arms 20 will be to the same extent and will cause upward sliding movement of pin 28 in slot 30. Downward swinging movement of these arms will be to the same extent and will cause downward sliding movement of pin 28 in slot 30, the bar |9 always remaining vertical. The pin 28 operating in slot 39 will serve as stop means for limiting upward and downward swinging of the parallelogram arm structures.

At each side of the lifting device, a material gripping and lifting member 3| (Figures 1, 2 and 5) is provided. Each member 3| is in the form of an elongated vertically disposed plate 32 which extends from one tong structure |8 to the other and which is welded or otherwise secured to the outer surfaces of the vertical links 24 at the lower ends thereof. The lower edge of each plate 32 carries an angle member 33 which provides an inwardly extending lifting lip 34. At points near the ends of this lip, rollers 35 are mounted therein. The members 3| will connect the two tong structures |8 together so that they will operate as a unit. It will be noted that the rods 23, 25 and 29 extend longitudinally from one tong structure lg to the other.

Midway between the tong structures IS, an auxiliary tong structure Isa (Figures 2 and 3) is provided. This tong structure consists merely of the arms 20a which are equivalent to the arms 23 of the tong structures l8. These arms 23a are pivoted by a pin 2|a to a bracket |3a provided on the lower side of the beam structure l0. Their lower ends are pivotally carried on the longitudinally extending rods 25. Pivoted to each rod 25 at each side of the cooperating arm 20a is an angle member 24a. These members 2411 have their lower ends welded at 35 to the inner surfaces of the vertically disposed plates 32 of the material gripping and lifting members 3|. This auxiliary tong structure |8a will serve to increase the rigidity of the device.

As previously indicated, I provide locking means in association with the tong structures. A locking means is provided at each end of the device in association with one of the tong structures 8 and this means is indicated generally by numeral 36 (Figures 1, 2 and. 4). It comprises a ratchet bar 37 which has one end pivoted at 33 to one of the rods 29 (Figure 4). The ratchet bar 31 is provided at its opposite end with a slot 39 which is notched at its upper side to provide the ratchet teeth 45. It will be noted that the other rod 29 extends through this slot 39. This rod is adapted to be engaged by the ratchet teeth. This rod 29 carries an elongated cam member 4| which engages a ledge 42 on the side surface of bar 31 above slot 39. Normally this cam is rotated downwardly due to the fact that the rod 29 to which it is keyed is rotated in a counterclockwise direction by means of a counterweight 43 whichv is carried by an arm 44 that is keyed to the rod 29. Thus, normally the cam 4| permits the ratchet teeth to engage the rod 29 since the bar 31 is permitted to swing downwardly around pivot point 38. However, if the rod 29 which carries the cam 4| is rotated ina clockwise direction, the elongated cam will be swung upwardly into engagement with ledge 42 and will swing the bar 31 upwardly about pivot 38 thereby releasing the ratchet teeth from the rod 29.

In order to release the ratchet when desired, from a remote point, I provide the release arrangement shown best in Figure 4. This arrangement includes a segmental cable guide 45 which is carried by the cam 4|, being located intermediate the ends of the rod close to the auxiliary tong structure I 8a, as shown best in Figure 2. An operating cable 48 passes through the channel in the outer surface of this guide and is anchored at the point 49 at the lower end of the guide. The cable 48 passes upwardly over a guide roller 50 which is carried on the outer end of a rigid arm 5| at a level corresponding to the upper end of guide 45 in its normal position. This arm 5| has its inner end welded to a rod 52 that is slidably mounted in a guide block 63 that is carried by .the otherrod 29; "The .arm l5| .is provided with a notch'54 that straddlesitherodi'fl which carries the cam 4|. pull on the cable 43 willrotate the. rod 29 and, in turn, rotate the cam 4 I that isassociated with the ratchetllock at each end of the device. 'This will lift the ratchet bars 31. andrelease them from the rod'29' which carries thecams 1|. I'Itwillbe apparent thatexpansion andcontraction of the tong structures willmovethe-two rodsl29 towards and awayfrom each other. Y'I'heratchet releasing .structure will not interfere with this movement sincerod 52 will slideLinlblock' 53- -the notch 54causing arm'i5l tomove along with thero'dZB with Whichit .engages. I

The ratchet I teethare so *formed. as to provide notches 58 .at intervals which have. angular outer edges 56a. This -will permit automatic expansion of the tongs l8 and 18a whenever theilifting force on look [-5 isreleased.

In order'to aid in expansion of the tong structures l8, upon release of the-lifting force on. my device bylowering the tong. structures into contact with theground'or-fioor or other-suitable surface, assuming they have been'contracted, I provide plungers-51 associated with each pair of arms 2|) and -22, as shownbest in Figures 1, 2 and 5. Each unit 5f| comprisesa rod 58 which has its outer endpivotedto rod 25,-and-its inner end slidably disposed in a, sleeve 59 carried by the arm 22. A compression spring--60 is disposed on rod- 58 betweensleeve 59and nuts6| which are threadedion the outer portion *ofthe rod. Thus, theresistance' of the springGO-can be adjusted.

As the tong --structures are contracted, the springs 60 tend to resist this-contraetion since the arms 23 move closer tothearms 2.2 but the springs are not of suificient resistance to prevent the contraction which is caused by the weight of the tong structures. Therefore, as soon as the lifting force is relieved by contact ofthelower ends of the tong-arms withitheigroundorrfloor.or other suitable surface and thetongs aregpermitted to collapse, the springs- 60 tend to move the arms '26 upwardly away 1 from the arms '22: and, therefore, will aid in expanding the tong structures'and move the material gripping and liftingmembers 3| away from .each other. This: compression springv arrangement is especially desirablev after the tong arms have "been contracted :close :together, as inFi'gureLand' the anglettherebetween is slight. The inclinedouter edges 56a;of the notches 5,6 ofthe ratchet will. permit :outward movement of rods 29,:the ratchetzbar31 pivoting upwardly.

One of the members..3| .carriesL-stackingguide members 62. as-shown. bestinz-Figuresil; .2 and 5. Eachmember 62 is in'the fornrofa a'LT-shaped. bar which has its flat side disposed inwardly. .The upper end of this'bar is;slidably mountedifor vertical movement in a guidehousingifiisecured on the outer-side of? the vertical platei3zirof' member 3|. The upper'end of:memberifizzisprovided with a cap-.64 which'prevents sucirmember from dropping through :the guide housing 63. Normally, the; guide members;62, which arepreferably disposed adjacent-the ends of member 3|, depend from member 3 ,v as shown in Figure-2; However, they may move vertically in case'th'eir lower ends contact with an obstruction. To-protect"the.upper endsof the housing 63, defiector'lugs are carried by the plate 32 on itsouterisurface and are-inclined downwardly-and outwardly ISO p116." vent contactof anobstruction with the upper ends It will beapparent .that .a

of the housings and members it: adjacent. which the. lugs are disposed.

To prevent the lifting device from moving downwardly over the pile ofmaterialitoanundesirable extent and therebypossibly damaging parts of the device which are disposed within the twoend tong structures |.8,'.'Iprovide.the stop arrangement shown best inIFigures .1, "3 and '5. This arrangement comprises the stop .arms 66 which are rigidlycarried onitheupperedges of plates .32 of members 3| at each end thereof. These four stop arms 66 will -extend iinwardly and will be positionedoverlthe pile-ofmaterial as thelifting- "device straddles the. pile. Theywill contact with the top of the pile'to' limit downward movement of the lifting devicerelative-thereto.

In using my lifting device-for exampla in removing-a pile P of sheetsfromiavcar 'C. as shown inFigure .5, assuming thatfthe tongs are-in expanded conditions asshown in thisflgure, the craneoperator positions the device over the car and-lowers it into straddling. relationship to the pile P. Downward. movement ofthe lifting-device will be limited'by contact of stop arms 66 with the top of thepile The locking means 36 serve to-keep the tong structures'expan'ded with the .members 3| spaced suificiently from each other to-pass downwardly over the pile. Ifan upward pull on the lifting device isnow exerted by the liftingcable 4fl-and'the locking devices are released bymeans of' the cable48. the'tong structures will be contracted against'the force exerted by the springs 60 andthemembers 3| willbe moved towards-each ;other until they grip the sides of thepile P, as-shown in Figure 6, the lips 34 of members--3| moving beneath the lower surface of the pile. Therollers 35-prevent'unduev friction as lips 34 engagethe-lowersurface o'fthe pile and move inwardly thereof. Furthermore, if in position my device-over thepileitisnotcentered relative thereto, the rollers 35 atone side may contact the upper surface of the pile. In positioning; the lifting device over the-pile onthe car, the lower ends of stacking-guides-62-will-.engage the upper surfaceof thecarbut they are free to move vertically.

.If several piles of material are to be superimposed in the stack, as'shownin Figure -7. the members 62 will function to insurestraightstacking of the piles ofmaterial. In positioning the one pile on the other, themembers'BZ enga e one side surface-of thelower-pfle, as shown in Figure 7. When the pile. is positioned as desired, the lifting. devicei maybe releasedby slackening. of thecable 48a toallow-thetongsto settle'on" the pileand expand. This expansion'will'be aided by the springsfill. The-lips 34 will thus-be. moved outwardly from beneath theipile. The .members 3| will be lockedin this spacedposition'by means of the locking means 36; it being understoodithat theone rod 2-9 will at'thisntime be mom. of the notches 56 of each bar :31. If further expansion of the lifting "device, that-is, further spacing of members, 3| is :desired, the lifting device maybe lowered into'contact with a suitable surface, permitting further-collapse. and expansion of the-tong structures,;the-rod-29 mov inginto different-notches 56located farther outwardly on the'bar 31. This furtherexpansion can'be accomplished without releasing thelocking means by means .of .cablel48, .due to .the. inclined outer edges 51 of thenothesiBB.

' It will be apparent .from. theabovedescription that'l have provided a lifting. .devieerwhich' is particularly suitable for handling piles or sheet material and which can be operated by a single man from a remote point. .The locking mean serves to lock the device in expanded condition so that it will be in condition to straddle a pile of the material. Also, the compression spring structures aid in expansion of the tongs at the proper time. The stop means provided on the lower portion of the device will prevent the device from moving downwardly over the pile to an undesirable extent which might injure parts of the device. Furthermore. the stacking guides will provide efiective means for aiding in obtaining a straight stack.

Various other advantages will be apparent.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A lifting device for handling a stack of material or other articles comprising a supporting structure having means for suspending it from a crane or other moving device, tong structures suspended from said supporting structure and being spaced from each other in parallel planes, each of said tong structures including pivoted arms, elongated material-engaging members extending between the arms of said tong structures and being connected thereto at the lower ends thereof, a ratchet lock-comprising a ratchet member pivotally connected to one arm of each of said tong structures and having a ratchet portion engaging a retaining member carried by the other arm of each of said tong structures, a ratchetreleasing member carried by each of the tong arms which carries said ratchet arm and engaging said ratchet arm, and an operating member connected to said ratchet-releasing members and beingoperable to move said releasing members for pivoting each ratchet arm to release said ratchet portion from said retaining member so that a lifting force on saidsupporting structure will cause said tongs to contract.

2. A lifting device according to claim 1 wherein said ratchet member includes a portion which cooperates with said retaining member to prevent relative movement of the arms of the tong structures towards each other but permits movement away from each other.

3. A lifting device according to claim 2 including resilient units connected to and tending to expand the arms of said tong structures when the lifting force is eliminated.

4. A lifting device for handling a stack of material or other article comprising a beam-like supporting structure having'means for suspending it from a crane or other moving device, tong structures suspended from said beam-like supporting structure at longitudinally spaced intervals thereof, each of said tong structures comprising a central bar suspended from and pivoted to the beam structure, a pair of upper arm pivoted to said bar and a pair of lower arms pivoted to said bar in parallel relationship to the upper arms, connecting links pivoted to the outer end of each upper arm and to the outer end of each lower arm, a pair of equalizing links having their upper ends pivoted to one of said arms at each side of said bar and having their lower ends pivoted together by a pivot pin mounted for vertical movement in a slot in the lower portion of said bar, and means tending to expand said tong structures, said means comprising spring plungers disposed between each pair of upper and lower arms and connected thereto so as to tend to move said arms apart.

5. A lifting device for handling a stack of material or other articlecomprising .a' beam-like supporting structure having means for suspending it from a'crane or other moving device, tong structures suspended from said beam-like supporting structure at longitudinally spaced intervals thereof, each of said tong structures comprising a central bar suspended from and pivoted to the beam structure, a pair of upper arms pivoted to said bar and a pair of lower arms pivoted to said bar in parallel relationship to the upper arms, connecting links pivoted to the outer end of each upper arm and to the outer end of each lower arm, material gripping members extending between said tong structures and being carried by said links, a pair of equalizing links having their upper ends pivoted to one of said arms at each side of said bar and having their lower ends pivoted together by a pivot pin mounted for vertical movement in a slot in the lower portion of said bar, locking means connected to each'of said tong structures, said locking means comprising a ratchet bar pivoted to a rod which extends from one of the upper arms of one of said tong structures to the corresponding upper arm of the other tong structure, said ratchet bar having a ratchet portion which cooperates with a rod extending from the other upper arm of said first-named tong structure to the corresponding upper arm of the other tong structure, and ratchet releasing cams carried by the last-named rod and engageable with said ratchet bar upon rotation of the rod to release the ratchet portion from the bar.

6. A lifting device according to claim 5 wherein the last-named rod extends through a slot in the ratchet bar, wherein each of the ratchet bars has a ledge formed thereon, said cams on the rod being disposed for engagement with said ledge upon rotation of said rod.

'7. A lifting device according to claim 6 wherein a segmental cable guide-is carried by said rod which carries'said cams for rotation of the rod, an additional guide being carried by an arm extending from the other rod to a point adjacent the upper end of said segmental guide, said arm engaging the cam-carrying rod and being slidably carried. by the other rod to permit movement of said rods towards and away from each other.

8. A lifting device according to claim 6 wherein each of said ratchet bars is provided with rodreceiving notches which permit relative movement of said two rods outwardly but prevents movement of said rods towards each other.

9. A lifting device according to claim 5 wherein said gripping members are provided with inwardly extending lips having rollers mounted thereon.

10. A lifting device according to claim 5 wherein said gripping members are provided with depending stacking guide arms which are free to move upwardly. 7

11. A lifting device according to claim 5 wherein said gripping members comprise elongated vertically disposed plates having inwardly extending material-engaging lips at their lower edges, and stop arms extending inwardly from each of said plates adjacent the upper edges thereof.

12. A lifting device according to claim 5 including an auxiliary tong structure between said tong structures, said auxiliary tong structure comprising a pair of arms pivoted together at their upper ends and to said beam-like supporting structure, the lower ends of said arms being pivoted to said gripping members.

13. A lifting device comprising a pivoted tong structure for gripping material which tends to contract into gripping position upon the application of a lifting force thereto. a locking unit carried by and connected to the tong structure for automatically locking said tong structure in expanded condition Whenever it is expanded, a 5 yieldable unit carried by and connected to said tong structure for aiding in expanding said tong structure upon release of the lifting force thereon, and a releasing unit carried by said tong structure and operatively connected to said lock- 10 ing unit for releasing said locking unit.

GEBHARD JAEGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 15 file of this patent:

Number Number 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Warner Nov. 16, 1869 Chafiin Apr. 25, 1876 Wetheri11 Mar. 21, 1911 Erdahl July 10, 1934 Brown May 15, 1945 King June 7, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Dec. 5, 1901 Sweden Aug. 16, 1905 

